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Microsoft is not supporting upgrades of any kind to Windows Phone 8, not from the Nokia Lumia 900, and not from any other Windows Phone 7.x handset. However, Microsoft is throwing a bone to existing users in the form of Windows Phone 7.8—Get it? 7.8 … 7 to 8?—which will provide only the barest of Windows Phone 8-like features....More

Microsoft on Wednesday announced that it has released the My Xbox LIVE app for Google’s Android mobile OS and has updated the existing iPhone/iPod touch and iPad apps to support new features. This app could be considered a precursor to the coming SmartGlass app for both platforms, as it includes a few features that are available in the Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone and Windows 8....More

Windows Server 2012 is interesting for a number of reasons, but it presents something of a dilemma for those of us wishing to write about the differences between the previous Beta milestone and the current Release Candidate milestone. And that’s because Windows Server 2012, unlike its Windows 8 stable mate, was feature complete back at Beta....More

Xbox LIVE may have started off as a way to bring Halo multiplayer features to other games, but it’s evolved past its video game roots into one of the most popular entertainment subscription services in the world. In the wake of this week’s E3 revelations, Microsoft explains how Xbox LIVE is expanding its offerings on the Xbox 360, Windows 8, and Windows Phone 8, in the process confirming some news you read about here first....More

I’ve got good news for Zune fans: Everything you love about today’s Zune music services will continue into the future, but will be rebranded with the Xbox name. I’ve also got good news for music fans: Even if you’ve ignored Zune so far, you’re about to get a set of music services in Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and the Xbox 360 that blows away anything on other platforms. But the best news of all? Xbox Music isn’t just a simple rebranding of existing Zune offerings. It’s a huge improvement....More

We’ll never know what took so long, but one of Microsoft’s most amazing mobile apps, Photosynth, has finally been released for Windows Phone. The highly regarded and award-winning app has been available on the iPhone since last year....More

The long-awaited Facebook 2.5 update for Windows Phone is now available, providing a number of new features that bring this app up to speed with recent changes at the social networking service. Facebook for Windows Phone is one of a handful of “must have” apps for this platform and if you do use this service on the go, you’ll want to upgrade immediately....More

Just four months after kicking off its “Smoked by Windows Phone” campaign, Microsoft is claiming that more than 50,000 competing smartphones have been defeated by Windows Phone. That’s a 98 percent winning percentage overall....More

As expected, Samsung’s mysterious “Mandel” device has surfaced, albeit months later than originally expected, as the Focus 2. In truth, this device is third (or even fourth) Focus handset that Samsung has released. But no matter. It looks like a nice Windows Phone device....More

LG made a bit of news today by revealing that it was disappointed in sales of its Windows Phone handsets and thus wouldn’t be making any new devices for the foreseeable future. Some are looking at this news as yet more evidence of that Windows Phone is doomed. But I just have one question....More

The HTC Titan II is the SUV of Windows Phone handsets, but the real differentiators in this model are its support for LTE—still fairly rare for Windows Phone—and its amazing 16 megapixel camera. Are these advantages enough to steer customers away from the Lumia 900 or other smart phones?...More

After almost 6 months in Beta, Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0 is ready for download. This is the latest version of Microsoft’s free anti-virus/anti-malware utility and what I use to protect my own PCs....More